How brain activity moves cerebrospinal fluid
Project 4: Linking neural, hemodynamic, and multiscale cerebrospinal fluid flow measures in humans
This project looks at how brain waves during sleep and wakefulness push cerebrospinal fluid around in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161481 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have MRI scans and EEG recordings while awake doing simple visual tasks and while sleeping so researchers can watch brain activity and fluid movement at the same time. They will use advanced MRI methods to image fluid flow in the brain's ventricles and in spaces around blood vessels, and use fMRI to measure hemodynamic (blood flow) responses. The team will also measure activity in brain regions that release acetylcholine and norepinephrine to see how those systems influence the link between neural activity and fluid flow. Together these recordings aim to connect patterns of neural activity across space and time to how cerebrospinal fluid moves in the human brain.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who can safely have MRI and EEG, can lie still for scans, and are willing to sleep in the scanner or complete simple visual tasks.
Not a fit: People with MRI-incompatible implants, severe claustrophobia, or who cannot sleep or lie still during scans would likely not be eligible or benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to improve brain clearance of waste and help protect against dementia and other brain-aging problems.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human studies have shown sleep-linked CSF flow waves, but this project uses newer imaging methods to map the effect in greater detail.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewis, Laura Diane — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lewis, Laura Diane
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.